JMO, but I feel like if we sign a FA starter, Chen's out.

What do you think the chances are that the Royals could swing a deal in which Butler and Felix are the key components... and what else would it cost us?

Would you trade Butler given:
a) The fact he is already super-productive, and
b) He is about 20 feet of power short of being a 30-40 HR kind of guy.

The Royals would have to give up A LOT more in that trade. If KC traded Butler, I'd like to see what Clint Robinson could do as a DH. It would add another left handed bat into the Royals lineup.

I hope this is the way, way, back plan...

Royals willing to consider bringing back pitcher Jeff Francis

The search for further help in their rotation might lead the Royals back to veteran left-hander Jeff Francis, who is again on the free-agent market after going 6-16 with a 4.82 ERA in 31 starts.

“We’re still open-minded with that,” general manager Dayton Moore said. “We’ll have to see how the rest of the free-agent market unfolds. You can’t discount the innings that Jeff Francis gave us last year.”

The Royals bolstered their rotation Monday by acquiring lefty Jonathan Sanchez from San Francisco with minor-league pitcher Ryan Verdugo for outfielder Melky Cabrera, but club officials admit they’d like to add another starting pitcher.

At this point, Francis, who turns 31 in January, projects as a fallback option.

The Royals prefer to retain free-agent lefty Bruce Chen, selected recently as their pitcher of the year after leading the club in victories for a second straight year. Chen is similarly receptive but is already drawing interest from other clubs.

“We’re talking,” Chen said. “They understand my needs, and my value on the market, and we understand what they are trying to accomplish.”

Chen, 34, is believed to be seeking a two-year deal for $10 million, although Moore said that information has not been transmitted to the Royals.

“We like Bruce,” Moore said, “and we’d love to have Bruce back. It’s a matter of making it work for everybody.”

The Royals intend to offer arbitration to Chen prior to the Nov. 23 deadline, which means they get a draft pick next year between the first and second rounds as compensation if he signs elsewhere.

Moore said the Royals are reluctant to enter a major financial commitment with any pitcher because club officials anticipate several prospects to be big-league ready over the next two years.

That approach virtually eliminates the possibility of a major free-agent acquisition.

The Royals appear willing to trade prospects for rotation help but are balking at the asking price for such possibilities as Tampa Bay’s James Shields, Atlanta’s Jair Jurrjens and Oakland’s Gio Gonzalez.

“That’s why we moved on Sanchez,” Moore said. “We don’t want to be sitting there (next month) at the end of the winter meetings and having to overpay. We weren’t going to be pressured into doing that.”

McClure joins Red Sox

Former Royals pitching coach Bob McClure is joining the Boston Red Sox in an as-yet untitled scouting/instructor role.

McClure, 59, spent six seasons as the Royals’ pitching coach before getting fired one day after the just-completed season.

Winter numbers

• Outfielder Wil Myers leads the Arizona Fall League with a .505 on-base percentage in 19 games for the Surprise Saguaros. He ranks third in slugging percentage (.685) and fourth in batting average (.384).

• Reliever Kelvin Herrera has yet to allow a run through 7 1/3 innings over six appearances for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League.

• Lefty Everett Teaford has allowed seven runs and 11 hits in 12 innings in three starts for Escogido.

• Catcher Manny Pina is just four for 25 in 11 games for Margarita in the Venezuelan Winter League.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, send email to [email protected]. Follow his updates at twitter.com/Royals_Report.


Posted on Wed, Nov. 09, 2011 01:52 PM


http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/09...#ixzz1dJ1V09H1

Chen is a Type B, so I hope we offer him arb and he turns it down so we get a sandwich pick.

Based on Chen's comments, I feel like he overvalues himself a bit. Sure, the guy was our most consistent starter in 2011, but some of his comments make me believe he thinks he's a #1/2 type starter.

I'd be happy with Oswalt & Jackson.

Watch me.<br />
<font size="1"><i>Posted via Mobile Device</i></font>

Hell if he's only looking for innings, I can go out there and throw 200+ in a season. My stats won't look good, but I'll give you innings, Dayton

What?

The guy says he values himself at a contract of 2yr/$10 million.

That places his value at approximately a very good setup reliever or a 5th starter.

He hasn't been asking for 3yrs/$48 million or anything; just a pretty decent 2-yr deal. It sounds to me like he has his value about pegged.

Let me see if I can do some digging. There was a small piece about him towards the end of the season, and there were just a few quotes that made me feel he viewed himself as more than what he really is.

But hey, 2 years/$8-10 million...I'd take it as our #5 guy.

So…the Marlins get a new stadium and suddenly become big spenders, with the potential to raise their payroll from $57 million to $80 million. Didn’t KC open a new stadium recently? And didn’t we reduce payroll afterward?



http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/72...top-jose-reyes

"With the new stadium scheduled to open in April, the perennially thrifty Marlins are expected to increase their payroll from $57 million this year to about $80 million in 2012, which will allow them to be active in the free-agent market."

No we didn't.

But we should have opened a new one downtown.